Drains and sewers all need to be regularly checked if you hope for them to be kept in the best possible condition. If you are not checking them and looking after them, then you can’t really be sure that they are going to stay in a good condition, and that could cause you many ongoing issues in your home. One issue to avoid in particular is a collapsed drain, but this is mostly an avoidable issue as long as you look out for the signs.

Remember that a licensed plumber can accurately diagnose a collapsed drain for you, but it’s still good to know the following warning signs that it’s going to happen.

Damp Walls & Floors

If you find you suddenly have damp walls and floors, that is a strong and common sign that there is something wrong with your drain, and in all likelihood it has collapsed. You might notice patches of damp which are big or small, but in any case make sure that you don’t ignore it, as it is a sign that you need to pay attention to.

Damp Lawn

As well as your walls and floors being damp, if you find that you have a damp lawn too, then you are going to want to do something about that. This is not something you will always notice right away, but nonetheless if you keep an eye out for it you are going to be able to spot a collapsed drain much sooner.

Sewage Backups

Perhaps one of the most unpleasant results of a collapsed drain is when you have sewage problems, such as a backup in your sewer that is hard to clear out. This is the kind of problem that you are going to smell before you see it.

Mold

With all that damp in the home, you are probably going to find there is a lot of mold too. If you find mold in your home anywhere, don’t ignore it - investigate it. It might not be a collapsed drain, but in any case it’s still something you want to deal with - and of course, it might be a collapsed drain too.

Slow Drains

Having slow drains is one of the more common signs that you might have drainage problems. If it is taking a frustratingly long time to clear your drains and let water out, then you know there is a problem somewhere. If fixing and unblocking the sink itself doesn’t do it, you might need to consider your drain being collapsed.

Bad Smell

You’ll definitely be able to tell if you have a collapsed drain just by the smell. It is generally a pretty poor smell and something that you are going to notice right away.

Pest Infestations

There are many potential causes of pest infestations in the home of course, but a collapsed drain is one of them, so don’t ignore this if it happens in your home.

Those are just some of the common signs to look out for. Make sure that you are keeping your eyes peeled for these and taking appropriate action where necessary.